“Lesson 1 Class Preparation Material: The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ,” Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon Teacher Material (2021)
“Lesson 1 Class Preparation Material,” Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon Teacher Material
Lesson 1 Class Preparation Material
The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
Welcome to Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon. President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls” (“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 62). As you study and live the truths discussed in this course, you will experience the truth of President Nelson’s words. Your testimony of the Book of Mormon and your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will increase, and you will become more like Them.
Note: This preparation material will provide you with a foundation for your class experience. Studying each lesson’s preparation material prior to class will help you have a deeper, more meaningful learning experience.
Section 1
How can studying the Book of Mormon improve my life?
At the beginning of the Restoration of the gospel, the Prophet Joseph Smith declared:
I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. (Introduction to the Book of Mormon, paragraph 6)
Since the publication of the Book of Mormon, millions of people have discovered the truth of this statement.
Elder Peter M. Johnson of the Seventy shared one example of how the Book of Mormon blessed his life when he was a young man:
When I started my doctoral program, I felt discouraged. The program accepted only four students that year, and the other students were brilliant. They had higher test scores and more work experience at senior management positions, and they exuded confidence in their abilities. After my first two weeks in the program, feelings of discouragement and doubt began to take hold, almost overwhelming me.
I decided that if I were going to complete this four-year program, I would finish reading the Book of Mormon each semester. Each day as I read, I recognized the Savior’s declaration that the Holy Ghost would teach me all things and would bring all things to my remembrance [see John 14:26]. It reaffirmed who I am as a son of God, reminded me not to compare myself with the others, and gave me the confidence in my divine role to succeed. … Read and study the Book of Mormon every day, every day, every day. (“Power to Overcome the Adversary,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 111)
President Ezra Taft Benson taught that “we must make the Book of Mormon a center focus of study [because] it was written for our day” (“The Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Jan. 1992, 5). As you read the following statement by President Nelson, consider marking how the Book of Mormon can bless our lives, especially in our day.
My dear brothers and sisters, I testify that the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God. It contains the answers to life’s most compelling questions. It teaches the doctrine of Christ. It expands and clarifies many of the “plain and precious” [see 1 Nephi 13:29–33] truths that were lost through centuries of time and numerous translations of the Bible.
The Book of Mormon provides the fullest and most authoritative understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to be found anywhere. … The full power of the gospel of Jesus Christ is contained in the Book of Mormon. Period.
The Book of Mormon both illuminates the teachings of the Master and exposes the tactics of the adversary. The Book of Mormon teaches true doctrine to dispel false religious traditions—such as the erroneous practice of performing infant baptisms. The Book of Mormon gives purpose to life by urging us to ponder the potential of eternal life and “never-ending happiness” [Mosiah 2:41; see also Alma 28:12]. The Book of Mormon shatters the false beliefs that happiness can be found in wickedness and that individual goodness is all that is required to return to the presence of God. It abolishes forever the false concepts that revelation ended with the Bible and that the heavens are sealed today. (“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 62)
Ponder in Preparation for Class
What blessings have you or someone you know received through studying the Book of Mormon? What types of blessings do you hope that a study of the Book of Mormon in the next few months will bring into your life?
Section 2
How can a study of the Book of Mormon strengthen my testimony of Jesus Christ?
In a vision, the prophet Nephi learned that the central purpose of the Book of Mormon (and other latter-day scripture) is to bear witness that Jesus Christ “is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved” (1 Nephi 13:40).
Throughout his life, Nephi labored diligently “to persuade [his] children, and also [his] brethren, to believe in Christ” (2 Nephi 25:23). At the end of his record, he provided a final witness of the Book of Mormon’s power to bring all people to Christ.
Study in Preparation for Class
Read 2 Nephi 33:6–10, looking for how Nephi hoped his words would impact you.
President Benson noted that many people throughout the world reject the divinity of Jesus Christ. He explained:
They question His miraculous birth, His perfect life, and the reality of His glorious resurrection. The Book of Mormon teaches in plain and unmistakable terms about the truth of all of those. It also provides the most complete explanation of the doctrine of the Atonement. Truly, this divinely inspired book is a keystone in bearing witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ. … [The Book of Mormon’s] testimony of the Master is clear, undiluted, and full of power. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson [2014], 129–30)
Ponder in Preparation for Class
Take a few minutes to ponder what you have learned and felt about Jesus Christ through your study of the Book of Mormon. What can you do to make your study of the Book of Mormon a more Christ-centered experience?
Section 3
How can I effectively use this preparation material to improve my experience in this class?
When Jesus Christ appeared to the Nephites in the land of Bountiful, He provided each person the opportunity to feel the wounds in His hands and feet and then taught the multitude His doctrine. He declared that those who believed in Him and lived His teachings would receive great blessings in this life and be raised up at the last day (see 3 Nephi 11:29–40; 15:1).
As the Savior prepared to leave at the end of the day, He looked upon the multitude and provided important counsel on how to prepare for what He would teach them the next day.
Study in Preparation for Class
Read 3 Nephi 17:2–3, looking for what the Savior taught about how to prepare to learn the gospel.
Record Your Thoughts
You may want to identify and record a goal you could work on during this course to become a more diligent learner of the Lord’s gospel. Consider making a plan that includes when you will study the preparation material for each class.
Share with Your Teacher
If possible, send some or all of the following information to your teacher electronically. Or you could write a note to deliver later.
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How do you feel about the Book of Mormon?
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In what ways do you hope to grow as you take this course?
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What questions would you like to address sometime during this course?